The Ghosts of Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures
By: Jordan
EDUC 355



Prompt (8th Grade Science):
Three ghosts come to visit you the night before your big science test. The ghosts of ELEMENTS, COMPOUNDS, and MIXTURES want to teach you about how they contribute to your life and how they are unique. Tell the story of your adventure!
For EACH ghost, be sure to:
  • Give the definition in your own words
  • Tell how that form of matter is unique/differs from the other two
  • Give two REAL-LIFE examples
  • Include dialogue
  • Use sensory descriptions
  • Use strong transition words
  • Use correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation
For the ELEMENTS ghost, be sure to:
  • Include the symbol and the atomic number for the elements that you choose as examples
  • Tell how the elements you choose are used in real life – do NOT just say silver, aluminum, etc.
For the COMPOUNDS ghost, be sure to:
  • Include the chemical formula of the compounds you choose as examples
For the MIXTURES ghost, be sure to:
  • Define both heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures
  • One example must be a heterogeneous mixture and one must be a homogeneous mixture

End with a strong conclusion to your adventure!
We will publish these on the class webpage at the End of the writing process J

Standards:
Writing (anchors):
3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
W.8.3a-e.
4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
W.8.4.
4. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, editing, revising, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
W.8.5.
5. Use technology, including the internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
W.8.6.

Science
8.P.1.1c. ..that a compound is composed of two or more elements chemically combined.
8.P.1.1d. Know the differences among elements, compounds, and mixtures.
8.P.2.2c. How to use the periodic table of elements as a quick reference for associating the name and symbol of an element.
8.P.2.2d. How to find the atomic number… of an element listed on the table.
8.P.2.2g. Know that chemical symbols show the atoms of the elements composing a substance.
8.P.2.2h. Know that chemical formulas are constructed from the symbols of the elements composing the substances.

Reflection
Using the Voicethread program was a fun experience. I really enjoyed being able to read my story aloud. The Voicethread site was easy to use once I figured out how to record and add pictures. After that, it was not overly time consuming or difficult.
I would love to use this program with my future students. With middle school students, I think that it would be great to do group projects with. After we read a book, I would assign students parts and they would get into groups accordingly and record their part of the book. I think that this would be a great resource for cooperative learning. Once I found somewhere to take them (computer lab or something) to use the technology, I think the students would be good after I explained how to use the program. Using Voicethread would allow students to publish their writing in a new way and make it come to life while practicing 21st century skills. I think that students could really get into their roles with this technology.